Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

After a few moments of the mabari going nuts over being reunited to their persons, Varric is able to ask how it went. Plan explained, Carver manages to get them all crowded into the null bubble. "Gods, Carver, this is foul as hells. How could you drink that crap?"

[Carver Amell]

"Held my nose," he admits. "Anything else? Just the taste? Hunter, do you smell any alcohol?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Sharp bitey ick smell," Hunter confirms. 

[Carver Amell]

"Can you find it?" he asks. "Track the scent?"

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter takes in a few deep breaths, then nods. "Done boss!"

A pause, then Silence huffs. "Scent comes from you," she explains. "From Dad and my Lady, not brother's boss."

[Varric]

Wait, Dad? The mabari... uhhhh....

[Carver Amell]

"So it's made you drunk, but not me," he says, slowly. "Because... because I'm scary when I'm drunk? Or... Maybe..."

He closes his eyes, his stomach lurching as he strains to remember what he did, what he said. "Beth. What did I say to you, when I was... when we were here?"

[Bethany]

Bethany flinches a little at the memory. "...a lot about... being done with family. About leaving Nyra and never seeing any of us again. Ever. Some stuff about... dad keeping secrets and about seeing a 'her' in the market. You weren't... all the coherent," she says softly, not looking at him. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver shudders. "I think I said... something similar, to Merrill. I said I was... leaving. That I was... I sent her home," he remembers, blanching. "I said to her, go home. Take Hunter. Hunter, you were there -- what did I tell Merrill? Do you remember?"

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter sits down, ears pricking back and a fierce look on his face as he tries to think. "Boss was at the busy smell place and then he was hurting. He shouted at a lady and she puffed away. He ran for a bit- chase lady? Then he started crying, so I tried to comfort Boss because he is my Person. But he yelled at me. So I whined to show I was sad with him. He shouted more and then he told me to go home. But he is my Person and I did not want to leave him.  But then he kicked at me and shouted more and threw the metal thing and- and- " Hunter shakes his head rapidly, ears flapping wildly. "I ran to get Boss Sib to make Boss okay again. She and Boss Mate and Bitch Cat-Cat and I went to the busy smell place and then Boss Sib told me to take Boss Mate to the friend den and then we found Boss. Boss Mate was all nervous and worried and upset and she shouted at Boss. She lots of words to say she loves you. You were confused and Boss Mate said stuff. Said I was a Good Boy. Said I taught Boss well about Pack. Hunter is good at Pack."

He gives Carver a sad, reproachful look. "Then Boss bared his claws at Boss Mate and shouted more. Said he was done with Pack. He was going to leave us and never come back ever or ever or ever. Boss Mate ran away with lots of pain smiles, so I went with her. Boss taught Hunter good too- take care of Boss Sib and Boss Mate. Hunter tried but Hunter failed," he whimpers, Silence pressing herself against him.

[Bethany]

"Oh Hunter," Bethany whispers, kneeling down to hug the mabari. "We know you tried. You are a Good Boy."

[Carver Amell]

Carver hangs his head, his breath ragged in his throat. "I'm sorry I yelled, boy. You didn't deserve that any more than Merrill did."

[Tethras Clan]

"I know. I am a Good Boy. You are my Person. I love you," Hunter says simply, licking Bethany's face- which does not prevent or hinder his speech at all. "...I like raw rabbit," he adds for no reason. No reason at all.

[Varric]

Reaching over, Varric grips Carver's forearm. "Steady on son. Making it right means a lot more than feeling guilty."

[Carver Amell]

"Right. Right. Okay." He takes a deep breath, the touch seeming to help steady him. "Merrill. This is about..."

I'm dumb. We're in Merrill's mind. She can probably hear me.

"Merrill. I need you to remember, okay? For me. I stood here, and you were... you were there," he says, gesturing to the door. "I said... I said go home. I said take Hunter. Then you said...?"